Foldable boat



1946 B. F. RAYNDRUP 8, 7

FOLDABLE BOAT Fild May 22, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

A TTORNE K Oct. 1 194a. B. F. RANDRUP 2,408,579

FOLDABLE BOAT IFiied Kay 22, 1944 s sheets-sheet s A 7' TORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 1 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE I 'FOLDABLE BOAT 7 7 Benjamin- F. Randrup, Brisbane, Calif. Application May 22, 1944, Serial No. 536,811

Claims. (01. 9-2) This invention relates to improvements in fold- Y g of Fig. 6;

ing boats.

An object of my invention is to provide a fold able boat embodying a construction capable of being readily collapsed and folded intoa compact form for convenience in handling; storage or to provide connectedalong theirfcontiguous edges, whereby the parts may be readily unfolded from acollapsed form into a rigid boat structure wherein the parts are firmly secured in extended positions and so locked that there is no danger of accidental collapse. I

A further object of my invention is to provide a folding or collapsible :boat which, when in an assembled andoperable form, provides a rigid and seaworthy structure wherein a considerable amount of material and a number of persons may be safely carried without likelihood of. damage or injury from leaks, .capsizing or foundering.

Other and further. objects of my invention will be pointed out hereinafter, indicatedin; the appended claims, or will be obvious to one skilled in the art upon an understanding of the present disclosure. For the purpose of this application, I have elected to show herein certain forms and details of a folding boat representativeof my invention; it is to be understood, however, that the embodiment of my invention herein shown. and

described is for the purpose of illustrationonly,

and that therefore it is not to .be regarded as exhaustive of the variations of theinvention, nor

is it to be given an interpretation such as might have the efiect of limiting the claims short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

In the accompanying drawings: -Fig. 1 is a side elevation of afolding or. col;- lapsible boat embodying the preferred principles of my invention;

Fig.2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an endview of the same; I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4 -4 of Fig. 1, showing the mannerin which the bottom and side members are fastened together; T v Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional v'iw taken 'on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2,'showing themanner'in Which the bottom of the boat is constructed;

- Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the car looks; I I 1 a, collapsed or folded formi ,Fig. 7 is a sectionalview taken on the line Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section showing the manner in which the end members are secured to the sides of the boat; 1 I I Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line Illof Fig.2.;

Fig. 11 isan enlarged sectional view taken on the line lI-ll of Fig. 2; 1 I 5 Fig. 12 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the hinges employed in connecting certain parts of the boat together and maintaining them in ioldable relationship;

Fig. 13 is a sectional View showing the :boat in Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view showing anumber of the boats connected'end to end to form a supporting structure for a bridge; and

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the connected Iboats shown in Fig. 14-.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals I and 2 designate two elongated bottom members which are flexibly connected together along their adjacent longitudinal side edges by an intervening strip 3 of waterproof fabric, such as canvas. The waterproof strip 3 is secured to the bottom members at their upper sides :by means of nailed, glued, or otherwise suitably secured battens 4'. Overly ing the strip 3 is a rigid longitudinal member 5.

Secured to andunderlying the strip 3 is a rigid longitudinally disposed'member 6 iwhich is'nor mally engaged at its opposite side edges by the lower inner side edges ofthe bottom members l and 2 (seeFig..5). Secured to and underlying the member 6 is'a, lower longitudinally disposed member 1 which normally extends" across the longitudinal space separating 'the inner edges of the bottom members. The lower member 1 ro.-

- vides a support for the inner edges of thebottom members I and 2 and at the same. time it forms rigid protecting means fornormally preventing damage to the'keel area of the boat when landings are made. The bottom'members l and 2. are

made preferably from flat panels of plywood or other suitable material, and each is substantially,

rectangular in shape. When the boat is unfolded and 'set' up'and the various parts are in assembled cooperatin positions, the bottom members I and 2 are slightly inclined in opposite directions.

together by waterproof strips W of canvas or other suitable material. The flexible strips 19 are secured to the inner surfaces of the side and bottom members by nailed, glued or otherwise suitably attached battens H, The side and bottom members when in unfolded and set up positions are arranged so that the lower edge of each side member rests on its associated bottom member. The particular battens H which are secured to the bottom members i and 2 provide abutments to prevent the lower edges of the side members from engaging with the flexible strips l6. Such a connecting means for the bottom nd side mem-.

hers is well protected from damage from the outside and it still permits the folding of themembers one upon another in a most satisfactory The stern and bow of the boat are constructed substantially alike and each comprisesa flexible end member it of waterproof material such as convas which is somewhat rectangular in shape. The lateral and lower edges of the end members [4 are secured to the bottom members i and 2 and to the side members 8 and 9 by spaced glued or nailed battens M or other suitable means which will prevent water from entering where the end members engage with the side and bottom members.

Secured as by universal hinges 15 (see Fig. 11) to the opposite ends of the bottom members i and 2, respectively, are rigid end panels !6 and i! which are each of suficientlength to extend across an end of the boat. When the boat is in a set up position the end panels it and H are lodged at their opposite. ends between the battens M' which are secured to the side members 8 and 9. (See Fig. 8.) The hinges l5 are so constructed and arranged as to permit the end panels l6 and i"! to be removed from engaging positions between the spaced battens la without detachment from the bottom members i and 2 when the boat is to be collapsed and folded. The end panels I6 and I! are normally positioned in lengthwise engagement with each other. They provide rigid stiffening members for maintaining the bottom and side members in their unfolded respective normal positions, and at the same time they maintain the flexible end members M in taut, protected positions. The end panels [6 and ll are adapted to fold against the bottom members I and 2, respectively, when the boat is collapsed. When extended across the ends of the boat; the end panels l6 and H are secured together at one or more pointsby bolts I8 angular frame members 29, which form rigid U-shaped ribs or frames for maintaining the side and bottom members in extended positions. The angular frame members are connected to the bottommernbers as by universal hinges 2i (see Figs. 9 and 12) which permit the folding of the said bers Band 9.. The lower portions of the frame members of each pair extend across the bottom of the boat alongside one another. Hinged as at 23 to the lower portions of the frame members 20 are horizontal seats 24 which extend across the interior of the boat and are supported at their opposite ends by strips 25 secured to the side members 8 and 9. When the boat is being set up it becomes necessary to exert an inner pull upon the upper edges of the side members 3 and 9 in order to bring theside and bottom members into their proper relative positions as well as into firm engagement with the U-shaped ribs. The preferred means used to accomplish .this result comprises a number of three-piece clamps 26 (see Fig. 9) of the kind employing a principle commonly used in trunk latches to secure the lid to the main body. The clamps are mounted on the upper endsof the angular frame members 20, and each clamp is adapted to engage with an upwardly disposed member 27 secured to the upper edges of the side members 8 and 9, and by swinging the lever members of the clamps inwardly, the side members 8 and 9 at their upper edges are drawn toward each other and into firm engagement with the frame members 28, thereby forming a rigid construction throughout the length of the boat.

Secured as by a universal hinge '28 (see Fig. 10) to the longitudinal member 5' at each end of the boat is a centrally disposed brace 29 which extends longitudinally to the end panel H. The braces 29 are each normally disposed in a vertic'al plane and an end thereof is secured to the end panels [6 and IT by a bracket 28' and one 0; the same bolts I8 which normally holds the said panels in engaging relationship. Each brace 29 provides a rigid reenforcing structure for an end of the boat, and if desired it may serve as a support for an outboard motor or other device.

At opposite sides of the boat, on the upper edges of the side members 8 and 9 are mounted oar locks 36 which are adapted to drop from an upwardly extending position to one wherein they are positioned against the said side members (see Fig. '7) The car locks are each provided with an upper opening for the insertion of an oar and witha lower opening for the engagement of a bracket 3| which serves as means for securing the oar lock to the side member.

At opposite sides of the boat near thetwo ends thereof are arranged four foldable buoyant members 32 which are suitably secured to the upper areas ofthe'side members 8 and E3.v (See Figs.2,

3 and 11.)- Each of' the buoyant members is preferably provided withahinged side 33, canvas ends 33 and a pivoted top 34 which has a hinged door 35. I The side 33 of the buoyantmember is movably connected at its lower end by a water proof strip to a side member 9, and a similar hinge connection is provided between the topii i and the side 33 aswell as between the door '35 and the side member. The hinged door is provided with a latch 36 for holding the door and the top 34 in connected relationship. The interior of each buoyant member has an air chamber which is'adapted to provide suitable buoyancy to prevent the capsizing of the boat in rough waters. VVhen folded the door drops downwardly against the side member 9, the top-34 drops downwardly against the inside surface of 33, and the latter with the canvas ends 33' tucked inwardly is positionedin closs proximity to the said member.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the ends of several boats may be connected as by interlocking means 31 to provide an elongated supporting structure for a pontoon bridge. When so connected together, the boats provide a semi-rigid structure capable of supporting a considerable weight.

The universal hinges 15, 2| and 28 are each provided, as shown in Fig; 12, with a plate 33, a looped member 39 on said plate, a pin 40 connected to the looped member, and a second plate and the braces 29 are respectively held in a con-- I nected position with respect to bottom members I and 2 and the longitudinal member 5, both when the boat is in a set up position'and when it is folded.

When the boat is to be collapsed for convenience in carrying, storage or handling, the clamps 26 and the bolts l8 are first disconnected, following which the frame members 20 making up the U-shaped ribs, the braces 29 and end panels 15 and I! are folded against the bottom members i and 2. The buoyant members 32 are collapsed and positioned alongside theside members 8 and 9. The seats 24, previous to the folding of the frame members 20, are folded against the latter. The side members I and Z are swung inwardly against their associated bottom members 8 and 9, and each of the latter, together with the aforementioned parts connected thereto, are then folded upwardly toward each other. The flexible end members 14 are tucked inwardly between the adjacent side members, and a suit-' able cord orother means is then extended around the folded structure to maintain the various parts of the boat in a collapsed form. Owing to the novel manner in which the parts are arranged and connected together, the time required to assemble the structure into an operable boat is but a few minutes.

Having described my invention, what'I claim 1. In a collapsible boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected longitudinally along adjacent side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed'longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the said side members each being arranged to fold upon its associated bottom member, foldable end members pivotally connected to and foldable upon the bottom members, the said end members being arranged in pairs and each pair being positioned to close an end of the boat, and a plurality of pairs of rigid frame members pivotally connected to and folded upon the bottom members and normally interposed between the side and bottom members for maintaining them in unfolded positions, the pairs of rigid frame members each comprising two angular members connected to the bottom members andv arranged to engage with the side members, and seats pivot- 6 ally connected to and foldable upon the frame members.

2.'In' a collapsible boat, a pair of elongated bottom members flexibly connected together longitudinally along adjacent side edges, two elongated side members flexibly connected to the outwardly disposed longitudinal edges of the bottom members, the side members each being arranged to fold upon its associated bottom member, foldable end members pivotally connected to and foldable upon the bottom members, the

said end members being arranged in pairs and each pair being positioned toclose an end of the boat, rigid frame members connected to and foldable upon the bottom members and normally interposed between the side members for maintaining them in separated positions, and seats pivctally connected to the frame members and arranged to fold thereupon.

3. In a collapsible boat, means for connecting an elongated side member to an elongated bottom member comprising a flexible strip interposed between adjacent longitudinal edges of the side and bottom members, and longitudinally disposed battens securing the strip tothe side and bottom members, the battens and flexible strip being arranged on the inside of the boat and one of the battens being positioned to provide an abutment for the longitudinal edge of the side member when the boat is in an unfolded operative position.

4. In a collapsible boat having flexibly connected elongated side and bottom members, means for connecting a longitudinal side edge of a bottom member with an adjacent longitudinal side edge of a side member, comprising a flexible strip arranged interiorly and disposed between the adjacent longitudinal edges of the side and bottom members, two longitudinal battens engaging with the lateral longitudinal edges of the strip, one being secured to the bottom member and the other to the side member, the particular batten secured to the bottom member being arranged to engage with the aforesaid longitudinal edge of the side member when the boat is in an unfolded operative position, whereby lateral strains on the strip are reduced and contact ible joint between the adjacent longitudinal edges of the bottom and the side members, and

longitudinally disposed battens positioned interiorly for securing the flexible strip to the bottom and side members, the said battens securing the strips to the bottom members being, arranged to engage with the lower edges of the side members, whereby the said side members are prevented from shifting beyond certain points and thereby exerting strains in the flexible members.

BENJAMIN F. RANDRUP. 

